Canada’s incoming chief public health officer, Dr. Joss Reimer, vows to rebuild trust and fight health misinformation across the nation.
Canada’s Incoming Top Doctor Aims to Rebuild Trust
Canada has a new face leading public health, and her mission is clear: restore public confidence while tackling health misinformation head-on. Dr. Joss Reimer, recently appointed as the country’s chief public health officer for a three-year term, says regaining trust is not just urgent—it’s essential.
“Health misinformation spreads quickly because it doesn’t take long to invent a lie,” Reimer told reporters Friday. “We need a proactive, coordinated effort from the federal government to stay ahead.”
Pandemic Lessons Fuel Trust-Building Goals
The COVID-19 pandemic tested Canadians’ faith in public institutions. Reimer acknowledges that the challenges of lockdowns, lost jobs, and social separation left many questioning decisions made during the crisis.
“Whether or not the decisions were right, it was hard for people,” she explained. “We’re going to need years to rebuild trust, and it will take partnerships at every level—from community leaders to federal authorities.”
Reimer brings hands-on experience from the pandemic. As chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Health Authority and medical lead for Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, she has seen first-hand the pressures and successes of public health in action.
Facing Rising Health Threats
Health Minister Marjorie Michel emphasized that Reimer steps into her role at a critical time. Canada is confronting a resurgence of vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles, along with threats from avian influenza, HIV, tuberculosis, and the ongoing drug crisis.
“False health information is just as dangerous as the diseases themselves,” Michel said.
Reimer highlighted her perspective on the ongoing measles outbreak, noting that growing vaccine hesitancy in small communities contributes to the spread. Canada recently lost its measles elimination status, a benchmark it had maintained since 1998. “Measles is incredibly infectious, and misinformation only worsens the problem,” she said.
Misinformation Beyond Borders
Health officials warn that misinformation isn’t confined to social media. Reimer stressed that Canada must rely on its own credible sources, especially given challenges posed by changes in U.S. health institutions in recent years. “We need to stand independently and provide trustworthy information to Canadians,” she said.
With a focus on collaboration, clear communication, and long-term trust-building, Dr. Reimer is setting the stage for a new era in Canadian public health—one where truth and science take center stage.
